"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Prayer for a Friend

This morning I received an email from a friend asking me to pray for her and her work situation. It has been toxic and she is concerned for her professional reputation and her ability to work in the environment she is in. We have been praying in our small group for this situation on and off over the last few months and at times, it seems like there is a break in the clouds, but then things seem to go back into darkness and the struggles increase.

I composed the following prayer based on different scriptures with inspiration from a book called The Sword and the Spirit The Word of God by Joy Lamb. This book has been a light to me over the years, helping me to pray, when I couldn't find the words because I either felt dry in my Spirit or when I was in the center of the situation anjd felt I was drowning.

I want to share this prayer with you. I am committed to pray this daily for my friend over the next month (I have set it up in my Google calendar with the prayer in the details) and invite you to pray this with me for my friend or feel free to use it as it fits into situations with people you know.

Thank you God, that your word is a lamp unto her feet and a light unto her path. (Psalm 119:105). As she walks in this time of difficulty, I thank you that You go before her and make her rough places smooth. You will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through iron bars. (Isaiah 45:2). We know that you, God, will deliver her from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 97:10) and that the Holy Spirit will lead her into all truth (John 16:13)
I thank you Lord that You said 'Light shall shine out of darkness', and You are the one who has shone in my friend and her boss's hearts in this situation to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6) You can turn this situation from one of mourning into joy. As my fiend continues the time she has in this place she is in, I thank you that you store up sound wisdom for her. You are a shield to her as she walks in integrity. (Proverbs 2:7) Comfort her in the knowledge that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her. (Philippians 4:13)
AMEN
One of the great powers of prayer is that it not only is good for the spirit(s) of the one(s) receiving prayer but also for our own spirit.

Do you have a friend who needs prayer? I encourage you to find scripture, God's word, to lift up that situation. If you share it with me, I will be glad to join you in prayer.